[NikkiLDS]

Look at this PM I got this morning from a new Families.com member by the username mattmendo. He said that he didn't expect me to necessarily post the whole thing, but I think it may be helpful... so here ya go! (the bolding is by me)

PM subject: CVS Extra Bucks Now info

Hi Nikki -
I represent CVS/pharmacy and have been following your forum with interest--there seems to be a little bit of confusion about how Extra Bucks Now works, etc. I've copied a press release below. Clearly, I don't expect you to post the announcement, the purpose of my sending it is just to have a quick reference in case you wanted to cut and paste the parts that you think say it more clearly. We're big fans of this site and look to it as a source of valid customer feedback.
Also--if your members visit www.cvs.com/email and sign up for ExtraCare and CVS.com alerts via email, they will automatically receive $4 Extra Bucks.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Thanks so much,
Matt
CVS/pharmacy Unveils 'Extra Bucks Now'
America's largest rewards program, ExtraCare, extends program to offer additional benefits including instant rewards to customers
WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, America's largest retail pharmacy, today unveiled added benefits to customers through the ExtraCare program, including the introduction of "Extra Bucks Now." Extra Bucks Now delivers immediate payout of Extra Bucks tied to special offers on customers' receipts. CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare program is now in its sixth year and is the largest consumer rewards program, with more than 50 million cardholders.
Rewards program pays customers back instantly
Extra Bucks are like free "CVS money" that customers can use to purchase almost any non-prescription item at CVS/pharmacy. There are two ways consumers can earn Extra Bucks: through special Extra Bucks offers and quarterly spending. By implementing updates to the program based on customer feedback, CVS/pharmacy developed Extra Bucks Now, which eliminates the two-day waiting period and pays consumers their Extra Bucks tied to special offers at the time of qualifying purchase. Prior to Extra Bucks Now, customers received their Extra Bucks on their receipts two days after their qualifying purchase, when they made an additional purchase.
Shoppers receive quarterly Extra Bucks during payout periods
ExtraCare card holders also receive 2% back for every dollar spent, and one dollar back for every two prescriptions filled at CVS/pharmacy. These Extra Bucks can be used on most everything available at CVS/pharmacy-including cosmetics, over the counter medications, food, cameras and film processing and more. Quarterly Extra Bucks are paid out in January, April, July and October.
ExtraCare card acts as personal shopper
In recent months, CVS/pharmacy also expanded the "personal shopping" capabilities of its rewards program to make product recommendations and offer special coupons tailored to fit each shopper's individual interests through personalized email, direct mail, and register receipts. ExtraCare cardholders receive money-saving offers based on the products they purchase at CVS/pharmacy.
ExtraCare Coupon Centers start each shopping trip with savings
CVS/pharmacy is rolling out interactive coupon kiosks that enable consumers to scan their ExtraCare cards at the beginning of each shopping trip to receive money-saving offers based on products they have previously purchased. The ExtraCare Coupon Center also delivers Extra Bucks rewards to customers. Additionally, the kiosks allow savvy shoppers to independently check prices while they shop for their health, beauty and everyday needs. CVS/pharmacy has already introduced the ExtraCare Coupon Center in stores in California, Nevada, and Arizona, and it will be rolled out to additional markets later this year. All new CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide will feature an ExtraCare Coupon Center.
"CVS/pharmacy customers earn Extra Bucks every time they shop and now their payback comes even quicker," said Bari Harlam, Vice President of Marketing Intelligence for CVS/pharmacy. "The launch of Extra Bucks Now reiterates our commitment to making ExtraCare the most consumer-friendly rewards program in the country. In less than two minutes time, shoppers can sign up for an ExtraCare card in-store or online and experience the benefits year-round, which amount to tremendous savings."

Now we know what to call those EB jackpot machines - coupon kiosks!!

[44saving]

Kind of sad the link is dead.

[NikkiLDS]

Originally Posted by 44saving

Kind of sad the link is dead.

oh good point - that's already been pointed out in other threads and I forgot to mention it when I replied to Matt's PM.

[aujiggles]

I think we should all pm him and let him know how we feel about the 30/10 limit issue. I am getting tired of hearing that my ECBs dont match my card.

[marciadel]

Originally Posted by aujiggles

I think we should all pm him and let him know how we feel about the 30/10 limit issue. I am getting tired of hearing that my ECBs dont match my card.

Me, too.
m

[jbarn]

The press release has been on the CVS website since Monday. I emailed the contact at the end of the press release and received a reply the next day.
CVS/pharmacy - Investor Relations - Press Release

[NikkiLDS]

I don't think flooding him with PMs is the answer. I think that posting here is sufficient. I encouraged him to interact with us in the forums if he wanted to answer any questions or correct any confusions we had. As he said, they consider this site a "source of valid customer feedback," so I think that our concerns are heard. They as a company have to decide whether to do anything about said concerns or not.

[smile]

Marketing Intelligence
Not to be rude, but does this strike anyone else as funny?

[scoopdecoop]

Originally Posted by smile

Marketing Intelligence
Not to be rude, but does this strike anyone else as funny?

Not really, I've just been reading about the new id cards,and I have to say I'm not a fan of this kind of intelligence.

But I do like the name they give us "savvy shoppers".

I just wish they'd train their staff on how to use all the coupons. That's one of the biggest drawbacks to this system. I feel like I'm giving a training course every time I check out.

[neutron40]

Originally Posted by scoopdecoop

Not really, I've just been reading about the new id cards,and I have to say I'm not a fan of this kind of intelligence.

But I do like the name they give us "savvy shoppers".

I just wish they'd train their staff on how to use all the coupons. That's one of the biggest drawbacks to this system. I feel like I'm giving a training course every time I check out.

Amen